Crown Inn, Pooley Bridge – Life After Desmond

In December 2015, Storm Desmond had a devastating effect on the communities around Ullswater. The village of Pooley Bridge, at the north end of the lake, was no exception losing its 250-year-old bridge to the floodwaters of the River Eamont and suffering a big drop-off in tourist business in the extended aftermath of the deluge. But on April 13 the riverside Crown Inn reopened after a multimillion pound transformation from Thwaites Brewery. It sports a new first-floor terrace with stunning views over Ullswater to Helvellyn, bar and dining areas with a riverside patio and 17 new guest bedrooms. Johnny Vegas dropped by to raise a glass to the new-look Crown.